Custom Robo

"What A Wonderful World..."

Custom Robo...the name itself is quite impressive. I myself purchased this used game due to the bright, unique box images. When finding out this game was released in 2004, I didn't know what to think. Usually, games from previous years were nothing compared to the excellence of modern day games. What could a game maniac expect to find upon playing this game?

Story-10/10

As a child, you already have had problems. On your birthday, you find out your father, who's been with you since the day you were born, is now leaving for good. Before he leaves, he gives you a very unique watch. You are told to think of him when wearing the watch, and to never take it off. When he finally drives away, you are heartbroken, and still puzzled about the watch you've received. As you grow older, you've been told to become a robo commander at Steel Hearts. There, you are paired with Harry and Marcia, two teenagers who are looking for action. You are then called on your first day about a burglary. With your new friends, you set off, not knowing what great adventures await you. The story is very original, with a mix of drama and action, making this game fit for males and females.

Game-Play-10/10

Just like in the real world, you are capable of walking around by yourself, wherever and whenever your want. At times, your partners will join you as well. When challenged, you enter the Holosseum, a digital arena for your robos to fight. With multiple parts to choose from, you are able to customize your own commanding robo to how you see fit, and then battle against an opposing player. Each commander starts out with 1000 hit points. With their weapons of choice, you attack each other in an attempt to bring the other player's hit points to 0. The player with hit points at the end of the match will be declared the winner. There is a one player mode if you want to go solo, and a multi-player mode if you want to complete with your friends and family. If there aren't enough players, once unlocked, you can also play with computers, in team battles, tag team battles, and even free for all battles. Though this game may sound a bit repetitive, there are many parts to equip, making every opponent different.

Graphics-10/10

For a game with robots and humans, the graphics for this game are exceptional. The details in every person top all other games I've ever played. The backgrounds are very detailed, and seem life-like, though this game is 3 dimensional. Shadows appear under every player, including the robos, rather than it being a cross between two dimensions. All the buildings pop out as well, and the grass, rocks, and trees are very nice as well. The lab equipment and robots are very detailed as well. All the wires and liquids can easily be pointed out individually. The digital world is actually better than the real one. The robots are a lot more detailed. Their bodies are metallic, the shading is in the right places, and they move as though they were breathing, or warming up for combat. The different stages are all unique, and it as if it was the earth in the future. The different colors everywhere in the game are very good, and vary in several different places, so that you don't feel like you're in the same place every time, even though you're not. The graphics are easily the best I've seen thus far.

Control-10/10

The control is very simple to learn compared to other games. The control stick is used to navigate around the place, and talk with other people. The B button is used for firing your weapon. The X button is used to charge into your opponent. The L button is used to launch your pods, and the R button is used to fire a bomb. The Start button is used to pause the game. Though this sounds like a lot of memorize, it only takes 3 or 4 days to get completely down. On top of that, there are several functions the game does for you. If you need to save, the game auto-saves your progress for you. If you are having trouble choosing a stage, the game will randomize it, and pick a stage for you. In the Grand Battle mode, when you are not allowed to pick the same part twice, the game will automatically pick new parts for you. These automatic functions help ease your stress with learning all the controls. Though you have a lot to remember with all the buttons needed to be used in certain situations, the game neutralizes it by completing several tasks for you, thus keeping the controls at the bare minimum.

Sound-8/10

Starting off with the bad news, the noises the characters make upon communicating with you get annoying very quickly. The men make low beeping noises, and the girls make high-pitched squealing. The noise gets louder when the characters are yelling. Though it doesn't bother you for awhile, you'll realize it is a nuisance when playing. The noises sound more like gunshots than words, so you should try turning down the volume when walking around. Though the sound seems to be done for, there are actually more pros than cons. When walking, your characters make sounds based on what shoes they're wearing. The music is very impressive in both the world and in the Holosseum. The music is different in practically every stage, thus having a wide selection of tunes you may feel like hearing. You'll know when you've selected something with a nice shining sound. Being in combat is probably the best part. Static is heard when you are attempting to break free of the cube. The sound effects made by the types of robos shifts with every step. Shooting your gun also varies depending on the speed and amount of bullets. Upon impact, the character makes the usual sound steel would make when hit by a bullet. Bullets being countered make a blasting sound. Finally, upon winning, a nice victory tune is played. Everything is covered in the Holosseum. Though the speech could have been improved, or even not make any sound at all, the sound is impressive nonetheless.

Difficulty-9/10

This game is quite difficult the first time through. The game is easy at first, as to give you a bit of a feeling as to what you're in for, and then steadily increases as you gain experience throughout the game. The bosses all have practically all illegal parts, which are very strong weapons that take you down fairly quickly. This is natural, as bosses are supposed to be more difficult than the other opponents you will face. The final boss is obviously the most difficult part, and you must do your best in order to finally bring it down. There are 2 parts to the game, with the second part only unlocked be completing the first part. The second part is a lot more difficult than the first, as it should be. It's sort of like a tournament, where you score points based on how well you have defeated your opponents. This second part also increases in difficulty as you play along. The great difficulty also allows you to increase your experience, and create certain techniques to improve your skills. The difficulty is pretty good, but with one minor flaw. In the multi-player mode, the very hard computers may have better parts than the first, but they fight just like the very easy computers. They don't really seem like they're really more experienced than the first levels of difficulty, for if you are very good at this game, you can take them down pretty easily. Though this problem hurts the multi-player excitement, it doesn't have any effects on the one-player mode, thus not hurting the difficulty as bad as it would have.

Replay Value-10/10

The replay value, as you may have noticed, is higher than the difficulty rating. Why, you may ask? The replay value in the story mode is flawless. The game is extremely hard to beat, even after the second, or even third time around. The multi-player modes are extremely fun with a bunch of your friends and family, and even the computers. Many of the features are difficult to unlock, and most of them are hidden quite well. Because of this, if you haven't played this game for awhile, and you decide to start over, you're eventually figure out that this game is just as hard as it was at the beginning. The computer levels in the multi-player mode also don't get any worse, so if you just feel like beating something up for your own amusement, playing in the multi-player mode against these pathetic foes would actually serve a good purpose. You can try customizing your robos differently, and attempt to play with that all the way through, so that it seems as though you've just started the game once again. If you're bored, or no new games have caught your eye, and you just want to find a good game to play again, try starting this game once again, and you'll probably be occupied until another good game comes out.

Overall-10/10

I'm glad that I saw this game at GameStop. Nintendo has truly made an interesting and original game that I enjoy. Though it's relatively old now, this game matches up with all the new games coming out now. The game is practically flawless in almost every place, and is great fun. The flaws in the sound and difficulty are easily covered up, and almost unable to be noticed, by all the pros in this game. Multi-player modes are quite fun, and can be played for a long time with friends and family. One-player modes can be played again and again. If you liked some of the music in this game, you can try getting some of it off the Internet. Many may have wondered when a game where you play with robots could ever reach this level, even after being on a previous system. Custom Robo is a great game, which has excelled in almost every area. Though this world has could never be real, I really wish it could be.

Rent Or Buy?

I strongly encourage everyone to purchase this game. I found it used off the shelf of a store for about thirteen dollars. If you like kicking back, and kicking butt, then I'd recommend you purchase this game. If not, you can try renting it at your local store. If you enjoy it then, you can still purchase it before they're all gone. I really think you should buy this game. It's an enjoyable experience, and if I like it, then the odds are you will like it as much as I do, possibly more.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 10/08/07

Game Release: Custom Robo (US, 05/10/04)